EFI Fuel system help...tank, pump, etc.

[Timmy390]

Getting closer and closer to the finish line on my 351W conversion and have started thinking about the fuel system. Seems to be 2 ways to go

1. External pump with accumulator

2. Internal pump.

What's the best and why? I'm hoping to run a tank from Aero as I can get a custom 18-20 gal tank that don't hang down so low.

Tim

 

[duffymahoney]

I'm going external, I have seen internal ones die too many times and it's always a pain to change out. The only issue with external is you can sometimes here them hum. People say the external ones die quicker, but in my life both seem to die about the same.

 

[sykanr0ng]

The internal pumps have the reputation of staying cooler, and that seems to matter more with high pressure pumps for EFI.

Aerotanks can make their tank already set up for the Explorer pump.

The internal pump is also one less thing to find a place to mount it.

 

[Timmy390]

Aerotanks can make their tank already set up for the Explorer pump.

Any issues running a return line using the Explorer pump or did some years have a return?

I'm running fuel rails off a E350 van which is the same as the 5.8L trucks.

Tim

 

[sykanr0ng]

Any issues running a return line using the Explorer pump or did some years have a return?

I'm running fuel rails off a E350 van which is the same as the 5.8L trucks.

Tim

'96 to '98 Explorers were return type.

'99 to '01 were returnless.

 

[Toddpole]

I run an external HP pump near the engine with a LP pump in the rear near the tank. I do not run an accumulator and have never had an starvation problems. High pressure pump is a salvage yard special off a 90ish F150. The low pressure pump is an inexpensive unit I purchased at a local auto parts store. I originally had it mounted to the body channel under the driver seat. Sounded like a mad woodpecker with a steel beak, especially when I was very low on fuel and sucking air. I moved it to the frame with a rubber mounted bracket. Now I can hardly hear it unless I low on fuel. Kind of a nice low fuel warning.

 

[Bhall75]

I run an internal pump on my EFI setup. Bought it a advance auto. I like to keep it clean under the truck so having it internal is one less thing to see!

 

[TN1776]

I ran an external pump for about a year, the Airtex model that seems popular on the various forums. You could hear it but most broncos with their louder exhaust and noisy tires, its not a huge concern. I had issues with the pump overheating on hot days at higher altitudes (I live at about 500 feet above sea level, taking it up to 6-8000 feet exposed the problems). I could probably have made it work with a low pressure lifter pump and accumulator, but I bit the bullet and bought the Sherman Tank from WH with an internal pump. It has been problem-free for 2 years now. I love it.

 

[76Bronco302]

I just put the Aeromotive Phantom system in my modified BC tank. Might take a look at that.

 

[garberz]

I run both intank and frame mount. If the Explorer intank ever fails, it's a quick switch over to the frame pump. Just change the pressure side and the weather pak, and I'm back in business.

Mark

 

[Nobody]

I run an OEM e2000 external pump.

 

[KyleQ]

Get yourself a pump from a F150 that had a low pressure in the tank and a hi pressure on the frame rail. Mount the hi pressure pump close to the tank and forget about needing a low pressure, an accumulator or any of the other confusing and not needed bs.

I've run a used pump for many years with the stock tank with zero issues and even with a fuel cell with a front sump going up hill - never lose fuel pressure either.

 

[needabronco]

Internal pumps got a bad reputation IMO due to bad grounds. I had 1 pump fail in Winslow AZ at 9PM with my kids in the Bronco pulled into the parts store as they closed, yes true story. After getting everything back together I added an extra ground to the pump and the tank, I've never had an issue since.

I've run both the low pressure/accumulator/high pressure pump, and internal. If you run at altitude or where it gets hot, go internal. It's a cheaper system, easier to maintain, less spare parts, and frankly reliable. Why else would almost every car made in the last decade have an internal pump?

 

[Timmy390]

I'm leaning towards an external at this point. I need to go to the junk yard and source a mounting bracket as they don't seem to be for sale anyplace.

Tim

 

[nvrstuk]

x2 what Kyle and needabronco said...

I've been talking to the top tech rep at Walbro last week at their Michigan headqtrs... Jim told me that the external pump does not wear out any quicker than an internal, that the gas running THRU the pump cools it, not the gas surrounding it, that the external pump can pull gas out of a big tank without ANY issues and you don't need a lift pump... and the most interesting thing to me was that you can use an external pump to be operated as in internal pump...the only difference was the inlet and outlet ends and the electrical connections... I needed threads on the inlet end of my "in-tank" pump so I have an external frame mount pump in my tank.

The US Walbro tech dept was very informative

 

[toddz69]

I'm leaning towards an external at this point. I need to go to the junk yard and source a mounting bracket as they don't seem to be for sale anyplace.

Tim

I've got a stock F-Series bracket (similar if not identical to the one shown in the prior post) that I'd sell pretty cheap to ya.

Todd Z.

 

[KyleQ]

I ran one in the rubber sleeve with a hose clamp around the frame rail for years - easy to replace or remove if needed on the trail side.

Lots of people suggest having a filter before AND after the fuel pump - I live dangerously with just a clear cleanable filter before the pump.

 

[toddz69]

Lots of people suggest having a filter before AND after the fuel pump - I live dangerously with just a clear cleanable filter before the pump.

X2 on that. Due to lack of knowledge on my part when I did the swap, I put an F-Series EFI fuel filter between the tank and the pump and have nothing between the pump and the engine. It's been over 18 years now and it's still working fine (with the same $20 junkyard pump) but I do intend to do it "right" when I re-do the lines as one of my next projects.

Todd Z.

 

[KyleQ]

X2 on that. Due to lack of knowledge on my part when I did the swap, I put an F-Series EFI fuel filter between the tank and the pump and have nothing between the pump and the engine. It's been over 18 years now and it's still working fine (with the same $20 junkyard pump) but I do intend to do it "right" when I re-do the lines as one of my next projects.

Todd Z.

Yup - I laugh at all the folks throwing money at this accmultor and this setup and that pickup only to have nothing but success with a junkyard pump mounted close to the thank ;D

 

[Timmy390]

Good info guys.

I'm sure the junk yard near me has what I need but getting time to go out there is the hard part right now. I coach softball every weekend and practices twice a week, WORK and the new project (doing my own EFI harness) is just taking all my time right now.

What's the best year to look for (bracket, pump, hoses and relays)? If things hold true to form, I can get a ton of stuff for cheap with those guys. I got a complete Explorer upper with all sensors, hoses and pigtails for $35 last time out there....

Tim